Tribal police officers in South Dakota will soon be recognized as law enforcement officers under state law. Governor Larry Rhoden signed House Bill 1007 on Monday, extending legal protections to tribal officers who assist state or local agencies. Until now, tribal police lacked jurisdiction off tribal land and were not included in the state’s definition of law enforcement.
The change means tribal officers will now receive the same protections as other law enforcement personnel, including felony-level penalties for assaults against them.
Rhoden also signed several other public safety and welfare bills. One measure removes the home addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses of police and judges from publicly available voter rolls. Another bill will require translators or interpreters during administrative contested case hearings when requested, addressing concerns raised by Lakota speakers during past state proceedings.
As of Monday, the governor has signed 116 bills this session and issued one veto — a bill that would have banned the production or sale of lab-grown meat. Lawmakers have not yet acted on the veto.
Rhoden is also planning a signing ceremony Tuesday for Senate Bill 113, which makes it a felony to use violence or threats to prevent someone from practicing their religion.
This is the final week of the legislative session, aside from a day reserved later this month for any veto considerations.
